The Guest List
Thursday July 6th, 2023 with Joe Reilly
An AMAZING interview with Allison Russell about her album Outside Child (she's at RBC Bluesfest on August 14th)

This is an extraordinary interview about an extraordinary recording. Allison Russell joins us today from Nashville to talk about her debut solo album Outside Child. She has recorded for 20 years with groups Po Girl, Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters and in this interview she explains how the deeply personal nature of the songs on this recording called for her to produce it under her own name and as a result it is her debut solo album. The songs on this album recall Allison's painful days as a child being abused by her adoptive father and how she escaped that life. In a very candid conversation, Allison explains how the songs document her traumatic childhood but also tell the story of how she broke free of the cycle of abuse as an artist and a social worker. This is an exceptional conversation with a brave artist tackling difficult stories on an album that is at times beautiful and at times dark but that is ultimately hopeful. It is a triumph of her spirit. https://allisonrussell.bandcamp.com/album/outside-child https://allisonrussellmusic.com/ This interview was conducted in June of 2021 when the album was brand new. The album has gone on to garner 3 Grammy Award nominations, it won a Juno Award and a Canadian Folk Music Award, as well as a number of international awards. You can see Allison performing these songs and new songs from her forthcoming second album on Friday, July 14th at 8 p.m. on the River Stage at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. https://ottawabluesfest.ca/artists/#/event/allison-russell https://ottawabluesfest.ca If you'd like to hear more with Allison Russell, a second part of this interview aired in July of 2021, where Allison explores other songs on the album. You can hear that episode of the Guest List here: https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/107/52589.html Thanks for listening today. Get out and see some live music. If you come to RBC Bluesfest bike and use the bike park or take public transit and ignore all the naysayers about OC Transpo and the LRT. It's a great way to get to and from LeBreton Flats. It's busy and crowded but that's what happens at major events in big cities... I wonder if any of the critics of Pimisi Station and the LRT have ever been to Osheaga in Montreal... you have to go on the Metro and it's CROWDED!! Take care out there.